Delhi: Sharp rise in criminal cases in the first quarter of 2017

As rate of crime against women fall, more than 50,000 criminal cases reported in first three months of 2017, AIIMS receives 172 cases of stabbing in a day

Shibu Kumar Tripathi Delhi

Crimes in Delhi have witnessed a spike as recent statistics released by the Delhi Police indicate a 34 percent surge in criminal cases in the first quarter of 2017. While the number of rape cases has plunged, there has been a rise in the number of murders, attempts to murder and kidnappings throughout the city.

While most Delhiites celebrated Holi with fervour, the colours of the festival turned bloody for many. More than 200 people were admitted to various hospitals in Delhi after being stabbed on the day of the festival. The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) admitted several victims of stabbing on the day of Holi this year, a recurring situation in the hospital every year. At least 172 people were admitted to the emergency ward of the AIIMS Trauma Centre with minor and major injuries resulting from scuffles and attacks. The trauma centre witnessed one of its busiest days on Holi. The staff of the centre had made preparations in advance to deal with the situation.

The emergency ward of the hospital received over 400 cases that included 172 cases of stabbing, 103 were accidental falls, while 104 cases were related to traffic accidents. The increase in numbers of stabbing cases (which fall under the category of attempt to murder) continues to be a major concern for the administration which is already battling with growing cases of murders, burglary and theft in the national capital.

Officials in the trauma centre informed us that detailed preparations were made in advance as a similar situation was witnessed last year as well. Nirmal Thakur, Spokesperson AIIMS Trauma Center said, “We had begun our preparations anticipating such a situation 15 days prior to Holi where a series of drills were conducted with the staff in emergency ward to handle such cases. We also did tabletop exercise with the nurses for increased precision in dealing with the conditions and to ensure that medical care is provided to all such patients and in time.”

DCP Rajesh Dev of Crime Branch talking to Hardnews expressed that, “A number of cases were reported on the day of Holi and a large number of them were of stabbings, these were result of rivalry, family feud where under the intoxication of liquor, passions were fired up and people resorted to physical violence to settle feuds. The trend has remained the same over the years during Holi as liquor consumption increases exponentially in the name of the festival which results in bad decisions.” The Crime Branch Officer went on to add that most of these cases were reported from the areas of Munirka, Vasant Kunj and Defence Colony and “we had taken proper action to control it.”

According to a press release issued by AIIMS, 84 percent of the cases brought to the hospital were male patients in the age group of 21 to 30 years. While 80 per cent were medico-legal cases, 40 per cent of the patients reported critical injuries. A majority of these patients were admitted to the neurosurgery department of the institute.

According to the Delhi Police, there has been an increase in the figures of the attempt to murder cases in 2017 compared to previous years. Data released by the Delhi Police indicated that there were 123 reported cases of attempt to murder till March 15, 2017, which was 114 during the corresponding period in 2016. Meanwhile, murder cases have also seen a jump this quarter with 103 such murder cases being reported throughout the national capital region.

Delhi which at times has been referred to as the crime capital of the world seems to be unfazed by the unfortunate title. The figures released by the Delhi Police paints a grim picture of the city, though cases of crime against women has witnessed a dip from 3,103 to 2,421 in the initial quarter of 2017, crime has increased unchecked in the city where 50,791 complaints of non-heinous crimes have been reported so far, 13000 more cases than those reported in the first quarter of 2016.